Tim Curry: A Legacy in Film and Theater

Renowned actor Tim Curry, celebrated for his iconic portrayal of Dr. Frank-N-Furter in the cult film Rocky Horror Picture Show, has passed away at the age of 80, his manager and friend Marcia Hurwitz confirmed. The cause of his death is yet to be disclosed.

Curry, an English actor, became a beloved figure for his role in the 1975 film Rocky Horror Picture Show. He continued to captivate audiences with his performances in campy horror and mystery films, such as Wadsworth in the movie adaptation of the board game Clue, and Pennywise in the 1990 TV adaptation of Stephen King’s It.

After a massive stroke in 2012 left Curry partially paralyzed, he faced ongoing health challenges. Despite this, his career spanned over five decades, accumulating numerous credits in film, television, and theater.

Curry’s acting journey began on stage with the London company of the musical Hair. He later moved to Los Angeles to pursue opportunities in film and television. Curry is remembered for roles such as Rooster Hannigan in the 1982 movie Annie and Mr. Hector, the Plaza Hotel concierge, in Home Alone 2: Lost in New York. He also played Long John Silver in Muppet Treasure Island in 1996.

In 1991, Curry received a Daytime Emmy for voicing Captain Hook in the animated series Peter Pan and the Pirates. Throughout his career, he was nominated for three Tony Awards. His first nomination was in 1980 for the title role in Amadeus, and his last in 2005 for King Arthur in Spamalot. In 1993, his performance as Alan Swann in My Favorite Year also earned him a nomination.

Curry’s memoir, Vagabond, was published last year to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Rocky Horror Picture Show. In it, Curry reflects on his career, sharing, “The distinctions between who I really am and who I’ve pretended to be as an actor have proven to be a source of great disappointment to some audiences. It has not caused me much personal distress beyond the periodic necessity to deter stalkers.”

In one of his final interviews, Curry, speaking to “CBS Sunday Morning” in October 2025 while in a wheelchair, expressed his love for acting, describing it as providing “the freedom of being somebody else.”

This is a developing story, and updates will follow as more details emerge.